Vocalists always seem to get the short end of the jazz stick. Even back in the Swing Era, the female singers standing in front of the bands were called the birds" and were not considered musicians by the players. Be that as it may, Rick Blessing is a wonderful vocalist and songwriter so thoroughly in touch with the style of the fifties and sixties swinging jazz/pop singer, that you would think he really is his father's age. ...

It takes a bunch of chutzpah to create a musical persona and bring it off on disc and in an on-stage act successfully, and singer Rick Blessing has essentially done just that. His preferred ambiance on this debut album is the comfort level of a Frank Sinatra mid-Twentieth Century crooner. Pictured on the album's artwork, and included in the photos, is a snapbrim Ring-A-Ding-Ding" hat along with a hipster picture of two-toned shoes somewhat akin to those retro swing groups ...

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.